Genesis 32:13 kjv

And he lodged there that same night; and took of that which came to his hand a present for Esau his brother;

Genesis 32:13 nkjv

So he lodged there that same night, and took what came to his hand as a present for Esau his brother:

Genesis 32:13 niv

He spent the night there, and from what he had with him he selected a gift for his brother Esau:

Genesis 32:13 esv

So he stayed there that night, and from what he had with him he took a present for his brother Esau,

Genesis 32:13 nlt

Jacob stayed where he was for the night. Then he selected these gifts from his possessions to present to his brother, Esau:

Genesis 32 verses

Genesis 32 13 Meaning

This verse describes Jacob's immediate practical action upon hearing that Esau was coming to meet him with 400 men, following his fervent prayer for deliverance. He "lodged there that same night," meaning he settled down for the night, but crucially, he did not rest. Instead, he strategically prepared a significant portion of his livestock as an elaborate "present for Esau his brother," intending it as an appeasement or offering to reconcile their estranged relationship and avert Esau's anticipated wrath. This action reflects Jacob's blend of prudence, fear, and a proactive response to his challenging circumstances, trusting in God's word while also taking human steps.

Genesis 32 13 Context

Genesis 32:13 is part of Jacob's perilous journey back to Canaan after spending twenty years with Laban in Paddan Aram. Jacob is on his way to face Esau, his twin brother, whom he had deeply wronged years prior by stealing his birthright and blessing (Gen 27). Having sent messengers ahead to Esau, Jacob receives a chilling report: Esau is coming to meet him, accompanied by 400 men (Gen 32:6). This news fills Jacob with "great fear and distress" (Gen 32:7), as he interprets the large contingent as a threat, indicative of Esau's lingering anger.

Before the specific actions detailed in verse 13, Jacob divides his household and flocks into two camps, hoping that if one camp is attacked, the other might escape (Gen 32:7-8). Immediately after this, Jacob offers a profound prayer to God, recounting God's promises to him (Gen 32:9-12), acknowledging his own unworthiness, and pleading for deliverance from Esau's hand. Verse 13 directly follows this prayer, illustrating Jacob's response, which is a blend of reliance on God and astute, proactive human strategy. This specific night marks the eve of his transformative encounter at the Jabbok ford, where he wrestles with a divine being (Gen 32:22-32).

Genesis 32 13 Word analysis

• And he lodged there that same night (וַיָּלֶן שָׁם בַּלַּיְלָה הַהוּא - wayyāliyn sham ba'laylāh hahū')

  • וַיָּלֶן (wayyāliyn): From the root לוּן (lun), meaning "to lodge," "to stay overnight," "to pass the night." It suggests temporary settlement, not a permanent dwelling. Here, it signifies the crucial immediate halt and a night of intense activity rather than rest.
  • שָׁם (sham): "there." Indicates the specific location where he received the news and began preparations, setting the stage for subsequent events of the chapter.
  • בַּלַּיְלָה הַהוּא (ba'laylāh hahū'): "that same night." Emphasizes the immediate, urgent nature of Jacob's response. He did not delay. The night becomes a period of planning and preparation, highlighting the weight of the coming day. This specific night will lead to his spiritual encounter at Peniel.

• and took what he had with him a present for Esau his brother: (וַיִּקַּח מִן־הַבָּא בְיָדוֹ מִנְחָה לְעֵשָׂו אָחִיו - wayyiqqaḥ min-habāʾ biyadō minḥāh ləʿēsāw ʾāḥiw)

  • וַיִּקַּח (wayyiqqaḥ): "and he took." From the root לָקַח (lāqaḥ), meaning "to take," "to seize." Signifies a deliberate and active selection from his possessions.
  • מִן־הַבָּא בְיָדוֹ (min-habāʾ biyadō): Literally, "from what came into his hand," or "from what was at his disposal/in his possession." This refers to the vast wealth, particularly livestock, that Jacob had acquired through God's blessing and his diligence while working for Laban (Gen 30:43). It represents a significant portion of his hard-earned assets.
  • מִנְחָה (minḥāh): "a present," "a gift," "an offering," "a tribute." This is a significant Hebrew term. While it can mean a general gift (as in Gen 4:3-5, Cain's offering), in contexts involving humans, it often carries the connotation of appeasement or seeking favor, especially from a superior or someone with power (Judg 3:15, tribute to Eglon; Prov 21:14). Here, it’s an attempt to calm Esau's potential anger and soften his heart. This anticipates the future use of minchah in the Mosaic law as a "grain offering" to God. Here, it is an offering of peace and reconciliation between brothers.
  • לְעֵשָׂו אָחִיו (ləʿēsāw ʾāḥiw): "for Esau his brother." The repetition of "his brother" emphasizes the familial relationship that was fractured and that Jacob is desperate to mend or at least manage. It underscores the profound personal nature of the conflict and the reconciliation Jacob seeks.

• The precise numbers of livestock (two hundred female goats and twenty male goats, two hundred ewes and twenty rams, thirty milking camels with their calves, forty cows and ten bulls, twenty female donkeys and ten male donkeys):

  • This detailed enumeration signifies the sheer generosity and immense value of the gift. Jacob isn't sending a token; he's sending a king's ransom, demonstrating his sincere desire for reconciliation and to perhaps compensate for his past wrong.
  • The specific groupings (e.g., female goats and male goats) indicate not only quantity but also quality for breeding, further enhancing the gift's value. The number also indicates his great prosperity due to God's blessing despite Laban's treachery (Gen 30:43, Gen 31:7).

Genesis 32 13 Bonus section

• The careful segregation of animals by gender and species in the gift underscores a detailed and methodical approach, highlighting Jacob's astute business acumen and strategic planning even under extreme duress. This reflects his identity as a "supplanter" or "planner," but here directed towards reconciliation rather than deceit.
• The act of giving such a significant gift (minḥāh) prefigures the elaborate sacrificial system detailed in the Torah, where offerings were made to reconcile with God or among people. In a rudimentary way, Jacob’s gift serves as an attempt at "atonement" (כָּפַר - kaphar, later "to make atonement") in the sense of pacifying and covering an offense, albeit from brother to brother.
• This night of preparation and fear, following the prayer, immediately precedes Jacob's struggle at Peniel. This suggests that Jacob’s strategic human effort and vulnerability led him to a deeper, more personal wrestling with God, signifying that even in our meticulous planning and striving, it is ultimately God's grace and power that prevail and transform.

Genesis 32 13 Commentary

Genesis 32:13 marks a critical juncture in Jacob's life, bridging his fervent prayer to God (vv. 9-12) and his ensuing direct encounter with the Divine at Peniel (vv. 22-32). After wrestling in prayer, Jacob rises and acts with strategic prudence. His decision to divide his vast gift into separate droves (explained further in subsequent verses) with spaces between them was not arbitrary; it was a carefully calculated plan designed to maximize impact. By presenting a large, valuable offering over an extended period, Jacob hoped to dissipate Esau’s wrath, soften his heart, and impress upon him the depth of Jacob's repentance and desire for reconciliation. The lavishness of the gift, encompassing hundreds of prime animals, was a visible testimony to Jacob's wealth, but more importantly, to his humility and earnestness in seeking peace. This verse reveals Jacob as a man who combines deep reliance on God through prayer with shrewd, practical wisdom. He understands that while God provides deliverance, humans are also called to act responsibly and wisely with the resources and circumstances given to them. His action here is not a lack of faith, but an exercise of faith that applies earthly wisdom to heavenly assurance.